County Hears Details of Possible Capital Tax for Roads

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council received information on a potential effort for a sales tax for capital projects, aimed almost exclusively at roads, as part of a five-hour meeting at the Anderson Civic Center Tuesday.

The consideration is part of a search for ways to fund repair/replacement and maintenance of the county’s 1,547 miles of roads and 162 bridges. A study last year found more than a third of all roads are in failing or failed condition, and 57 bridges currently cannot be traversed by school buses or fire trucks. The county has never had a budgeted source of revenue for this work, which calls for nearly $1 million per mile to repair a failing or failed road, and more for bridges.

The tax would be different in structure and preparation from the road tax referendum which voters narrowly rejected in November. A commision consisting of three members from county council and three members representing the municipalities (which would include the City of Anderson) drawing up the plan, which will list specific roads to be repaired on the ballot.

Spartanburg passed a similar one-cent tax via referendum in 2023 to fund road repairs and maintenance.

If approved, the new tax would generate an estimated $35 million annually for road/bridge work, of which a third would be paid for by visitors to the county. By statute, groceries would be exempt from this kind of tax.

If council moves forward, the commissioners would be chosen in April and the road priorities and wording of the resolution created by those involved. Both the Anderson City Council and Anderson County Council would have to pass resolutions to put the ordinance on the ballot before Aug. 15. If these deadlines are met, the measure would be on the ballot in November.

More details on the retreat in tomorrow’s Anderson Observer.

Here’s a brief recap for the Observer from County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders.